Specifying Today’s Drinking Water Solutions
By Rod Magnuson
The marketplace for drinking water solutions in commercial applications has evolved significantly in the past few years. Largely due to growing environmental concerns, coupled with increasingly budget-conscious consumers, the demand for public sources of clean drinking water has greatly increased. With this amplified demand has come the introduction of many innovative new options designed to offer the ideal solution for each unique setting.
From vandal-resistant drinking fountains and environmentally-efficient water coolers to today’s latest innovation, bottle filling stations, the options for serving up a sanitary, satisfying sip of water are greater than ever before. While these extensive options may seem daunting to navigate at first, today’s plumbing engineer/specifier is in a prime position to help customize solutions for any and all commercial facilities, delivering the ideal source of drinking water for the end user and ensuring customer satisfaction at the facility level.
There are several key considerations that plumbing engineers should take into account when specifying drinking water solutions to ensure that the right unit is specified for each individual job:
• Understand the product portfolio and options available from manufacturers.
• Consider the environment for the drinking water device.
• Appreciate the overall eco-friendliness of the commercial property.
• Specify products that meet all ADA compliancy requirements and local plumbing codes.
• Team up with quality manufacturers that offer sound warranties and superior customer/technical service.
Understand the product portfolio
With the shift towards a more energy efficient, water-conscious world, manufacturers are developing drinking water solutions that are not only Code and ADA-compliant but also sustainable in their design, functionality and performance. Plumbing engineers/specifiers have the opportunity to specify top-rated drinking water products that are also responsible choices for the environment. Be sure to ask manufacturers whether they have products that are:
• GreenSpec listed
• Made of recycled materials
• Designed with energy efficient refrigeration systems
• Built with a lower-flow bubbler that also provides a satisfying drink
• Engineered with a water system that is free of lead-containing brass parts, as well as manufactured without paints or coatings, eliminating VOC emissions.
With the environment as a driving force in product development, Elkay Manufacturing, now with several units GreenSpec listed, has dedicated an abundance of time and resources to engineer drinking water solutions that satisfy the needs of the end users, while also minimizing their global imprint.
The environment and end users
When specifying a water cooler, drinking fountain or bottle filling station, an engineer should also consider what type of environment they’re working in, such as outdoor, indoor, corrosive, explosive, or an environment that is susceptible to extreme use or vandalism. Each of these different environments can help guide the engineer towards the appropriate product for its surroundings. For example, to endure in corrosive environments such as refineries or coastal regions, a professional should specify products made of stainless steel.
Since manufacturers offer products designed specifically for outdoor and indoor settings, that’s an easy starting point for the engineer as well. When specifying for an outdoor setting, the most important consideration is whether or not there is electricity onsite, since that has a direct effect on which products can be installed. As most plumbing engineers know, drinking fountains dispense ambient temperature water, while water coolers chill water to approximately 50 degrees and dispense it to the end user.
An electrical infrastructure is needed to chill the water, so that is a key deciding factor when choosing between a water cooler and a drinking fountain. Many outdoor environments, such as parks, may not have electricity available to power a water cooler, so, in these instances, a drinking fountain is the best solution.
In addition to electricity, weather conditions are an important element to consider for outdoor applications. For example, drinking fountains can be the ideal outdoor choice in temperate climates, while water coolers may be better suited for areas of the country that experience harsh heat, since they dispense chilled water for added refreshment.
For both outdoor and indoor environments that experience heavy traffic and rough use, such as recreational facilities and schools, vandal-resistant drinking fountains and water coolers can offer a durable solution, since they are engineered to withstand frequent use, rough handling and even vandalism. For example, Elkay Commercial offers a Heavy Duty Vandal-Resistant series that is virtually indestructible.
When it comes to indoor applications, the setting is equally important. For instance, at hospitals and other healthcare facilities, sanitary concerns are usually the top priority, so the engineer should consider a unit with hands-free functionality.
On the educational side, a growing number of schools and colleges are implementing bans on bottled water to help reduce the amount of plastic bottles being sent to landfills, which has resulted in an influx of bottle filling stations on campuses throughout the country. Bottle filling stations such as the EZH20 from Elkay are designed to provide end users with a rapid fill of cold water for their existing bottles and cups, offering an alternative to drinking and discarding plastic bottles. To help users visualize the environmental impact of using the EZH20, it features a green ticker that displays the running total of bottles saved. From the hallway to the gym to the cafeteria, bottle filling stations offer smart solutions for delivering clean water at schools.
Since bottle filling stations offer hands-free, sanitary operation, along with convenience and environmental efficiency, they are also a popular choice among healthcare facilities and almost any indoor commercial application.
ADA and code compliancy
Engineers should also take ADA requirements into consideration when specifying water coolers, drinking fountains and bottle filling stations. Most manufacturers offer ADA-compliant products that not only make life easier for people with disabilities but also allow facilities to meet the requirements of federal law. Specifiers should be aware of local and state codes, in relation to both child and adult ADA requirements. Reference www.ada.gov for more information or www.access-board.gov.
End users and specifiers alike should be aware of contaminants found in drinking water. The NSF/ANSI 61 Standard regulates the levels of contaminants (including lead) that can leach from drinking water devices to potable water. Elkay was the first company to comply with the entire NSF/ANSI 61 Standard on water coolers, drinking fountains and remote chillers by redesigning its products and manufacturing processes. Elkay’s extensive line of drinking water solutions were also years ahead of the curve when it comes to CA AB 1953 compliancy.
Warranty and customer service
Finally, it is crucial to ensure that the manufacturer offers a long-term warranty and first-rate customer service for each device specified. For example, Elkay ensures that plumbing engineers and specifiers have access to their robust technical support staff, as well as to hundreds of support technicians in the field. For more information about Elkay commercial water coolers and drinking fountains, visit www.elkayusa.com or call Elkay customer service at 630/572-3192.
Rod Magnuson is director of commercial products for Elkay. Rod can be reached at Rod.Magnuson@Elkay.com or at 630/574-3500.